Travelers gaming system for ’emotional support’ animals on flights
Travelers are taking advantage of lax monitoring to avoid animal carriage charges and travel with their pets in the cabin under the guise of ’emotional support’ animals.
More and more travelers are gaming the system and it is becoming a growing safety problem for airlines and flight crew, an aviation union official said.
"Just about any animal but a snake is welcome," said Laura Glading, president of the American Airlines flight attendants union.
"We really think there should be a little bit more oversight. It can’t be a free-for-all but it’s beginning to look like that on some flights."
Passengers pay for small pets to fly, and must be transported inside a secure container.
However a growing number are claiming their animals are for ’emotional support’ which travel in the cabin free and do not need to be restrained.
Travelers simply have to show a letter from a doctor.
According to a report by NBC 5 Investigates, there is a thriving industry of doctors prepared to write such letters for a fee.
NBC Chicago producer Courtney Copenhagen said she logged on to a website, ordered a fake letter a received it a week later.
The letter claimed she was under the doctor’s care and needed the emotional support of the animal in order to fly.
Copenhagen said she never met the doctor who is located thousands of miles away in San Diego.
"I just went online. It took about three minutes, filled out a couple questions, and I got the letter."
With the letter in hand, she boarded two flights unopposed with her dog.
The news report says airlines discourage airport staff from challenging passengers about their animals for fear of possible lawsuits.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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